HomeWisconsinMilwaukee › Veterans Park

Veterans Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,516 Google reviews · Running trail in Milwaukee, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Veterans Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedScenicRestroomsTrailhead parking

Park on Lake Michigan featuring a veterans memorial, fishing, a paved walking trail & restrooms.

What runners say about Veterans Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (4,516 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Beautiful clean open *(today 5/8/2024 was mushy due to the storms last night 5/7/2024)* it's always full of people from all over the state, city, and even the world.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 18 mentions

“Beautiful clean open *(today 5/8/2024 was mushy due to the storms last night 5/7/2024)* it's always full of people from all over the state, city, and even the world.”

🏃 great for running 2 mentions

“A paved trail circles a calm lagoon and continues along the shoreline, making it great for walking, jogging, or biking with the lake in view.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“A paved trail circles a calm lagoon and continues along the shoreline, making it great for walking, jogging, or biking with the lake in view.”

Beautiful park right on Lake Michigan. Made for a great morning run, and the fog added to the serenity. I love the little piers that extend out into the lake.

★★★★★ — Jason , May 2024

Veterans Park is a beautiful day trip to be had by the whole family! There is plenty of free street parking as well as many places within the park. There are beautiful trails along Lake Michigan and also an inner trail by a lagoon. The lagoon hosts paddle boat rentals that look like swans.

★★★★★ — Michelle , Jun 2023

The popular area of Milwaukee is along the Lincoln Memorial Lake Drive. Some things to enjoy are The Art Museum, the Discovery World, beach volleyball, kite flying, walk or jog around the lagoon or rent a paddle boat. Roller skate rentals may be available. Enjoy a picnic lunch and people watch.

★★★★★ — Debbie , Sep 2025

Absolutely nice place to go during a sunset in Milwaukee. Take some relaxing moments walking around and enjoying the lake and the Milwaukee skyline. Good parking lots, it has restrooms and a convenient store as well. Some people like to prepare barbecues during weekends.

★★★★★ — Miguel , Aug 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 4,516 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 24 mentions

“Beautiful clean open *(today 5/8/2024 was mushy due to the storms last night 5/7/2024)* it's always full of people from all over the state, city, and even the world.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“Parking is plenty but wear rain boots in the winter because even if it's not snowing the grass is muddy.”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface 3 mentions

“A paved trail circles a calm lagoon and continues along the shoreline, making it great for walking, jogging, or biking with the lake in view.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“Love how the portable toilets were clean and there was water available to wash our hands.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Veterans Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitecounty.milwaukee.gov
  • Phone+1 414-962-8809

Hours

Monday 6 am–10 pm
Tuesday 6 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6 am–10 pm
Thursday 6 am–10 pm
Friday 6 am–10 pm
Saturday 6 am–10 pm
Sunday 6 am–10 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Veterans Park

1010 N Lincoln Memorial Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Get directions

Running trails near Milwaukee

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Lakeshore State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 734 reviews

Milwaukee, WI

PavedScenic

22-acre urban state park with a fishing pier & marina, plus benches, views & a 1.7-mile paved trail.

under a mile away

Caesar's Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 65 reviews

Milwaukee, WI

ScenicDog-friendly

Park offering trails for running and other activities, plus a quiet atmosphere.

under a mile away

Riverside Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 257 reviews

Milwaukee, WI

MixedScenic

Urban space with trails for hiking and biking, playgrounds and an ecology center.

1.7 miles away

Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,701 reviews

Milwaukee, WI

3 miPavedScenicDog-friendly

Venerable lakefront park with a golf course, ball fields, nature paths, events & an 1855 lighthouse.

1.9 miles away

Kinnickinnic River Trail | Maple Street Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 9 reviews

Milwaukee, WI

2.5 miles away

River Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 60 reviews

Shorewood, WI

Scenic

Compact recreational area with a baseball diamond and a grassy area for soccer, plus picnic tables.

2.7 miles away

All running trails in Milwaukee, WI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.